Ore. university classified workers OK strike

Friday

Sep 13, 2013 at 10:35 AM

SALEM, Ore. — Bargainers haven't reached an agreement on a two-year contract for classified workers at Oregon's public universities, and the union has authorized a strike that could begin a week before classes start.

SALEM, Ore. — Bargainers haven't reached an agreement on a two-year contract for classified workers at Oregon's public universities, and the union has authorized a strike that could begin a week before classes start.

The workers are staff members such as clerks, custodians and cooks.

The Salem Statesman Journal reported Friday that members of the Service Employees International Union could go on strike as early as Sept. 23.

The university system is offering one year of step increases, while the union wants two.

The university system has offered cost-of-living adjustments of 1.5 percent and 2 percent; the union wants 2.5 percent in both years.